MY LOVING SISTER, DORIS

I have nothing but fond and loving memories of my sister, Doris. I miss her so much and will always miss her. Even though we did not live in close proximity to each other, we did talk frequently on the phone.

For as long as I can remember, Doris has been in God’s service and never desired to do anything but serve God and people. She cared for and loved everyone and wanted all to have the love and peace she had in serving the Lord. Serving the Lord and doing his work was only magnified when she met Ray and they were married.. I recall how happy she was and some of the stories that she shared with me and family during their ministry and time evangelizing. Wabash has certainly lost a good soldier

Doris was a fun loving, prankster of a person and loved to laugh and joke. Allow me to clip her angel wings for a moment and mention a couple of things. I remember the times when we were kids and she would always pick fights with me and our brother, Junior. When things got loud and rowdy then mom would show up on the scene and scold me and Junior for picking on a girl. Not sure if we ever convinced mom that Doris started all of that. I will also mention that when she was a young teenager that she and Jackie, her best friend, didn’t mind taking her Renault car at night and sneaking onto the football field behind Jonesboro High School and doing a few donuts. I am sure that she repented later on, the fine is still pending. LOL!!! We were always concerned about Ray after they were married, not knowing what pranks she may pull on him. Ray survived all of that and their love and devotion to each other was proof that no real damage was done, well, maybe I should say, permanent damage.

Doris always had my best interest at heart and I know that she prayed for me constantly, for which I am deeply thankful for.

I look at the lives of her two daughters, Rhonda and Andrea, and know that she was the best mother a mother could be. Don’t forget the grandchildren, for I know they think MawMaw was the mostest and the bestest.

I could go on and on about stories and life with Doris but the bottom line would be the same in the end, she was a good servant, daughter, sister, wife and mother. Always picture her with a smile on her face that expressed a desire to be your friend and make you comfortable.

She will truly be missed.

Terry King

Her number one loves were her husband, children and grandchildren. Doris and Marvin enjoyed taking trips together, from various cities in the United States to mission trips in other countries.  They spent almost 47 years of marriage together, making memories, laughing and sharing times with great friends and family.

Her daughters, Rhonda Akers and Andrea Propst, recall many times of her encouraging them that they were beautiful and talented and could do anything to which they put their minds.  She was very proud of her sons-in-law, David Akers and Darrell Propst, and their ministries.  She would do any thing they asked of her even if it was cooking them her wonderful food at midnight.

Doris often described her grandchildren, Devin and Whitley Akers, Jared Akers, and Madeline Akers as the most handsome, the most beautiful and the most talented children anyone could ever have. They always knew if they couldn’t get what they wanted from the other adults in the family that they could go to Mamaw, and it was theirs.

Doris loved her family and friends.  She was well known for loving to laugh and have fun.  Cooking was a passion and many were blessed to sit at her table.  She loved to feed large amounts of people and through the years did so on many occasions; from weddings to camp meetings. She loved to entertain and many times did so on a grand scale with lavish parties and get-togethers. The food was always plentiful and the entertainment top-notch. Doris was always concerned about the comfort and well-being of others, even at the expense of her own comfort at times.  She worked long hours to prepare memorable times for many.

Doris Parrish was born in Miami Florida on October 1, 1945 to Jesse Word King and Juanita Lee King.  She grew up in Jonesboro, Louisiana and San Antonio, Texas with two brothers, Junior and Terry King.

Her childhood was filled with wonderful memories of living in the south; fishing, family get-togethers, hanging out with friends, and playing with her brothers on warm Louisiana days.  She often shared many beautiful times with her Grandmother White.  After graduating high school she moved to San Antonio, Texas to be the piano player for her uncle, Lawrence King, who served as pastor of The First United Pentecostal Church.   

In 1965 she met Rev. Marvin R. Parrish who attended her church while stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  On January 12, 1968 Marvin and Doris were married in San Antonio, Texas at The First United Pentecostal Church.  Marvin always said he married his “Florida Queen, Louisiana Belle, San Antonio Rose.”  They began evangelizing all over the country, singing together and preaching.  In 1973 they began pastoring the Apostolic Church of Wabash.  Doris worked for the Kingdom of the Lord her entire life, and delighted in winning souls.  She wore many hats such as wife, mother, grandmother, friend, Pastor’s wife, teacher, pianist, music director, singer, speaker, counselor and so forth.